The arrival of Jules Koundé at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2022 was an event that generated great expectations among Barcelona fans. The French defender from Sevilla arrived at Camp Nou in a €50 million transfer and became a key element in strengthening the defensive line of the team led by Xavi Hernández.
Koundé had already proven his quality at Sevilla, making him a sought-after target for several European clubs, including Chelsea. However, the player decided to move to FC Barcelona, where he quickly got used to the playing system and secured a place in the starting eleven.
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In his first season at Barcelona, Koundé played a versatile role, mostly occupying the right-back position. Throughout the season he took part in 40 games, scoring one goal and providing six assists. His defensive prowess contributed significantly to Barcelona’s success in the league, where they were crowned champions.
After celebrating the title, Koundé expressed his desire to play as a central defender, a position he considered more advantageous for the team. Xavi Hernández gave him the opportunity and for ten games in a row the Frenchman stood out in defense and moved other players to other positions.
He doesn’t feel comfortable with his position
However, Koundé’s season took an unexpected turn in a game against Granada. That day he had considerable difficulties against attacker Bryan Zaragoza, who later moved to FC Bayern Munich. He was also out of action for three weeks due to an injury to his left knee.
After his return, Koundé was unable to return to his best form, as the Sport newspaper reported. He made notable errors in passing, lost individual tackles and performed below his usual level. This led to Xavi making the decision to leave him on the bench in the game against Almería.
After the break, it is expected that Koundé can overcome this decline and be a fundamental element in Barcelona’s defense again. His quality and versatility are undisputed and with the support of Xavi and the technical team, he will surely return to his best level and contribute to the club’s success for the rest of the season.